Teen girl says stranger grabbed her on street in West Seattle

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SEATTLE - Police are investigating a report that a man grabbed a teenage girl Tuesday afternoon as she was walking down the street in West Seattle.

At about 1:10 p.m. officers responded to West Seattle High School, in the 3000 block of California Avenue SW, after receiving a report that a girl had been grabbed by a stranger, says Detective Jeff Kappel of the Seattle police.

According to preliminary reports, the man jumped out of some bushes and grabbed the 16-year-old girl on the arm as she was walking down the street in the area of SW Stevens Street and Walnut Avenue SW.

The girl hit the man, broke free and took off running to West Seattle High School, where she reported the incident to staff members. It was not immediately known the girl is a student at the high school.

The girl was not injured in the attack. The man ran off in an unknown direction and remains at large.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s to 40s, standing about 5-feet-11-inches to 6-feet tall, of medium build with shoulder-length brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue zip-up jacket and black jeans.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may know the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call 911 or Seattle police. Anonymous tips are welcome.